Young Sohn is Samsung’s chief strategy office. By virtue of his position, the executive is privy to the South Korea conglomerate’s market strategy, future products and business dealings.

It goes without saying we were a little shocked (positively) learning that he also happens to be an Apple user, and by choice, too.

His entire household is full of Apple devices and Sohn had no problem admitting that, in his view, Apple designs the world’s most-integrated devices. He also praises Cupertino firm’s iCloud service and the iTunes ecosystem as he also happens to be a great believer in worry-free computing…

OK, so think about Apple compared to Samsung. I use a Mac, actually, at home. I’ve always used Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad. I also have the Galaxy. So I’m a great example.

Of course, he doesn’t carry his Apple devices to work.

At work I’m using Samsung devices; Apple at home, mainly because all of my systems and files are done that way. That’s sticky, you know? However, I did figure out how to sync all of my contacts and all of my schedules between the two different systems. You can do it. It’s a bit of work, but it is possible.

So, what’s the best thing about being an Apple user?

If you look at the strengths of Apple, in a way it’s not the product per se. It’s that consumers like their ecosystem such as iCloud. I like that my family 6,000 miles away in Korea is able to see my schedule and see all of my contacts and photos. It is sticky, but it is a proprietary architecture.

Though he expectedly prefers his Galaxy S III over an iPhone, the executive acknowledges that “the connected ecosystem is really critical”.

If you look at the strengths of Apple, in a way it’s not the product per se. It’s that consumers like their ecosystem such as iCloud. I like that my family 6,000 miles away in Korea is able to see my schedule and see all of my contacts and photos. It is sticky, but it is a proprietary architecture.

The key difference between Apple’s and Samsung’s go-to market strategy. In Sohn’s mind, Samsung is a device-centric company while Apple is about the entire ecosystem.

I think we have probably the largest platform in the world between the devices and displays and televisions we sell. We actually provide more devices that are interacting with consumers than anyone in the world.

But if you think about our experiences, it’s device-centric. It’s experienced by itself. It’s not experienced in a connected way. So we think we can provide a lot more things than what we are doing today with an open ecosystem with our partners.

He also admits that Samsung is “highly paranoid” because “you are only as good as your latest product”. Samsung, of course, is not just about smartphones and tablets, though mobile gadgets represented nearly half the profits Samsung Electronics filed for the September quarter.

He also responded when asked to comment on the strained Apple-Samsung relationship:

We see Apple as a very innovative company. They are a customer of ours, and they are a competitor of ours. But there are 6,000 startups here. When you look at where venture capital dollars are spent, more than half are spent right here, globally. That’s what makes this area really interesting for us.

I think it’s totally the opposite. Admiting that, he earns respect.
I mean, it’s obvious that they love Apple. What’s is not cool is bashing Apple while even a blind person can see that they copy Apple.

You’re hilarious. Please, smart one, direct me to the comment where he stated they copy Apple? As far as I’m concerned, you’re pulling this shit out of your ass and claiming it as fact. He said they had a great ecosystem. But if they’re copying Apple, this too would include an equally great ecosystem yes? Nowhere does he mention that. Oh, and Apple loves Samsung. I mean, it’s obvious they do. What’s is not cool is bashing Samsung while even a blind person can see that they copy Samsung.

Hit the nail on the head. If Apple didn’t have the ecosystem, it would be nowhere near as popular or good. Advancement on the iOS side is very slow. As a developer (well not a full blown developer, but getting there) I’m glad Apple limits it’s device sizes. But as a user I desperately want a bigger iPad. I started doing all my work on the iPad using a stylus, and it’s good. But could be a lot better with a few simple improvements. The only thing I hate about Apple’s ecosystem, is the difficulty to get files between devices without an [fast-ish] internet connection. AirDrop solved that for Mac Mac. Now iOS is screaming out for an AirDrop app, that is fully integrated with iOS and Mac AirDrop.

Sometime before iphone was better than samsung. Ios was better than android. Ios had lot more apps than android. Its obvious that a techies wants the best so he used apples product. But as of now, he says galaxy s3 is better than iphone. Only thing that’s holding him with apple is because of ecosystem.
So the conclusion is samsung GS3 is better than iPhone 5. Still isheep screams iphone5 is best.

Falk M.

Oh noes, a leading Samsung employee says his company’s product beats the competition.
We must all be fools not to believe him!!!

I love how you forget that a smartphone is ALL about the ecosystem to many people, rightly so.
BTW: in terms of performance the iPhone 5 wins over the S3, that’s all coming from an Apple and Samsung fan.